I will start with a quote,
"When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in a flag and waving a cross."
Sinclair Lewis
The 14 Defining
Characteristics Of Fascism
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
Republicans consider themselves EXTREMELY patriotic, hell if you disagree with them you will hear, "You are un-patriotic."
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
Republicans see torture as an ends to a mean, they have enacted laws that allow for violations of the fourth amendment and illegal wire tapping. That shutting things down like the Occupy wall street rally even though it violates the constitution as a justified need. That detaining prisoners of war indefinitely is a good thing and have even changed the word of terrorist to include "home grown" terrorist.
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial , ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
I am pretty sure you have heard the ruse Republicans have raised against people, you commie, you socialist, you homo, you Atheist. Also,
Sadam Hussein is a horrible dictator, We must invade an entire country to capture one man (afganistan) even though none of the terrorist came from either of these countries, but were funded by the likes of Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
4. Supremacy of the Military
Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
Enough said in this explanation.
5. Rampant Sexism
The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.
Once again, holy shit enough said!
6. Controlled Mass Media
Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
You may say that the media is controlled by liberal, however the MSM is controlled by extremely large corporations which fund.......Republicans and cause widespread mis-information.
7. Obsession with National Security
Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
As I said the corporate controlled media spread horrendous amounts of mis-information, such as they did with death panels, the war (weapons of mass destruction anyone?)
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined
Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed
to the government's policies or actions.
Damn, once again enough said.
9. Corporate Power is Protected
The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
I don't even have to say anything......
10. Labor Power is Suppressed
Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.
Well we all know about those socialist and communist teachers, firefighters and police officers in Wisconsin. Especially the fact the right HATES unions.
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.
Creationism in schools, The scientific studies of homosexuality in nature have been called propaganda by the right. College teachers are being called communist and it's now referred to as "liberal education" that is ruining America.
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.
Police brutality and illegal actions by cops are often defended by the right as justified. "They are protecting us." TSA, Homeland security, the patriot act, Law enforcement has unprecedented power, they are now trained as paramilitary troops as opposed to peace keepers, driving around with militar boots and ready to knock in your house with APC's and shoot you with military grade weapons on a moments notice. Wrong house? Oops, I am sure they will get a slap on the wrist. They are protecting you.
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
I think this runs on both sides, however the right is more profound in their openness about their connections with powerful elite orginizations. Mitt Romney ring a bell?
14. Fraudulent Elections
Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.
" use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries" This has happened in the primaries this year to be exact.
However Republicans are patriotic, God fearing, anti-gay pro moral, capitalist loving ......... Fascist.
It means that the rich and powereful are divested of both and it returned to the people, who then determine what sort of government that they wish to form. A primeval reset button.
Personally I don't believe that it solves anything, because it also means going back to square one in a very violent process. Man needs to evolve not revolve.....
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/...
You did not read that because it's not in his book. Even if you did, you'd know that if he wrote it in 1935, he would have been writing about FDR, not Republicans.
If you had read some of the classics as you claim you have, you wouldn't be so gullible to cheesy inaccurate rhetoric. History is documented for 4,000 years about people like you.
But in modern day America, it is the Democrats & Liberals who are the fascists.
Just look at Liberal Los Angeles banning Foie Gras and Liberal NY wanting to ban big sodas.
Just proves that the left wants to control every aspect of our lives.
NO THANKS AND TAKE A HIKE.
AND THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THE LIST:
The man has lost it.